Basildon

Basildon's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census also show there were changes in religion, housing tenure and marriage.

The population passed 170,000

In the decade to 2011, the population of Basildon increased by 5.3%, from almost 166,000 to 174,000.

The addition of just over 8,800 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Basildon was home to, on average, 11 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Basildon

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Basildon increased by two years, from 37 to 39 years.

This suburban area had a slightly lower average age than Eastof England and had a similar age to the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 4,400 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by almost 3,000.

About 15% of people in Basildon are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Basildon by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Basildon

The number of people in Basildon that described themselves as having no religion increased from just under 29,000 in 2001 to just under 53,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 17% to 30% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across Eastof England (from 17% to 28%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Basildon that described themselves as Christian decreased from just over 120,000 in 2001 to about 110,000 in 2011 (from 73% to 60%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation remained close to 12,000 (6.8%)

About 1,600 people (0.6%) said they were Muslim, up from just over 940 in 2001 (0.9%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Basildon increased by 13 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Basildon by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Basildon

The percentage of Basildon residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 3.2% to 3.9% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

The percentage who reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities remained close to 6.3%, while the percentage of Basildon residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 91% to 90%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 2.7% in 2001 to 3.4% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Basildon, but at a slower rate than in Thurrock (the local authority area that shares the largest boundary with Basildon).

In Basildon, the proportion of private renting increased from 4.8% in 2001 to 10% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in nearby Thurrock increased from 6.5% to 14%.

Across Eastof England, the share of privately rented homes increased from 8.6% to 15%.

The rate of social housing in Basildon fell from 23% to 22%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 70% to 66%.

Private renting in Basildon increased by 5.4 percentage points

Percentage of households in Basildon, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer married people

The percentage of adults in Basildon that were married decreased from 53% to 48% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just under one in three (32%) people aged 16 and over said they were single, compared with 28% in 2001. The percentage of adults in Basildon that had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner increased from 11% to 13%.

The proportion of married people fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 54% in 2001 to 50% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 51% to 47%.

The proportion of married people was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

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